RSPCA facing biggest rehoming crisis in recent memory
The number of animals rehomed dropped by 5% from 2021 to 2022 falling to 25,535 animals in 2022, compared to 26,945 during the previous year. This marks a longer-term collapse in rehoming rates; which have fallen by 34% from three years ago (in 2019) - when 39,178 animals were rehomed. Rehoming rates have fallen markedly since 2019 (Image: Canva)You can look to find a pet at the RSPCA on their website here. “We fear even more unwanted animals will be coming into our care, as the cost of living crisis bites. You can support the RSPCA by sharing our message or donating to help us continue our vital work.”
Source:The Times
October 02, 2023 02:53 UTC
Travel Website Booking.com Leaves Hoteliers Thousands of Dollars Out of Pocket
The Guardian reports:The article adds that last month Hungary's consumer watchdog agency "launched a probe into the company's failure to pay hotel operators in the country and raided Booking.com's local office , after local reporting on the issue. "In a statement to the Guardian, Booking.com acknowledged the "frustration" of customers affected by "an ongoing technical issue." They also said "the system errors that affected the payments have now been corrected," and that they had now processed the transactions of "most of" our partners.Thanks to Alain Williams (Slashdot reader #2,9272) for sharing the article.
Source:The Guardian
October 02, 2023 00:23 UTC
China’s Growing Difficulties for Businesses: Syngenta’s Case and Geopolitical Pressures
China’s promise of an open business environment and support for the private sector is being questioned as national security concerns and rising geopolitical tensions damage confidence. The case of Syngenta, the Swiss agritech giant, exemplifies the growing difficulties faced by Chinese and foreign businesses in China. Geopolitical pressures have threatened to derail the listing, with China’s ownership of Syngenta through ChemChina, a state-owned chemical company associated with the military, raising concerns. Corporate compliance becomes a challenge for companies caught between Chinese rules and potential misrepresentation claims from foreign exchanges and shareholders. While complete withdrawal from China is unlikely for international firms, confidence in the Chinese market may be diminishing as businesses navigate these challenges.
Source:The Guardian
October 02, 2023 00:16 UTC
Under-reported oceanic pollution, increased death toll: ACM
Sonar and other underwater noise pollution is one of the least reported pollution of our air, land, waterways and oceans. The increasingly relentless barrage of human-generated ocean noise pollution is changing the underwater acoustic landscape, harming and often killing marine species. This devastation is happening all over the planet, but there are many things you can do to reduce or remove those oceanic “killer waves” of noise pollution. e360.yale.edu/… (2021)Noise Pollution Impacting Marine Animals Worse Than Previously Thought In recent decades, the level of marine noise pollution has increased significantly due to the intensification of fishing, shipping, and infrastructure development. (emphasis mine)This noise pollution is so very different from noise pollution in the air.
Source:The Guardian
October 01, 2023 23:44 UTC
Near Miss of the Day 878: Abusive driver who close passed driver three times in two minutes learns "an expensive lesson" with a £793 fine and five penalty points
However, turning into the next road, the driver then decided to close pass him once again. The case was heard in court earlier this week, and the driver was found guilty, fined £793 and given 5 penalty points. > Near Miss of the Day turns 100 - Why do we do the feature and what have we learnt from it? One day hopefully we will run out of close passes and near misses to report on, but until that happy day arrives, Near Miss of the Day will keep rolling on. > What to do if you capture a near miss or close pass (or worse) on camera while cycling
Source:The Guardian
October 01, 2023 23:33 UTC
RSPCA blasts “reckless and callous” act after 11 guinea pigs abandoned in Bramshaw Woods, Nomansland
The RSPCA has blasted the abandonment of 11 guinea pigs left in the New Forest as “completely reckless and callous”. The guinea pigs were wet, but healthy (picture: RSPCA)She said: “When one of my customers called me I went immediately to the location with a couple of cat baskets to collect the guinea pigs. Inspector Graham Hammond, who attended the incident, said: “The person who abandoned these vulnerable animals left them under two open wooden arches with only a pile of pellets and some carrots. “Sexing guinea pigs is so important to make sure they don’t multiply. As part of Guinea Pig Awareness Week owners can download a free guide on caring for the animals.
Source:The Times
October 01, 2023 22:12 UTC
Mykhailo Mudryk trying hard to adapt to Chelsea culture after difficult start
Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to theFootball email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino says Mykhailo Mudryk is making a concerted effort to adapt to life in England and fulfil his potential as a “unique” player after an indifferent start to his career at Stamford Bridge. I can’t remember one Mauricio Pochettino on Mykhailo Mudryk“You pay big money, big change form where they came. Then the most difficult thing is to understand what these guys need to settle and to feel comfortable and to express their talent. “He’s now trying to be more open, to adapt and be more involved in every situation, not only on the field but outside also.
Source:Express
October 01, 2023 21:58 UTC
Sunak insists UK is not a ‘laughing stock’ as he fails to rule on HS2’s future
A drastic cost-cutting exercise could also see it end at Old Oak Common in the capital’s western suburbs rather than reach its centre. Andy Street, the Tory mayor of the West Midlands, is among the critics of scaling back the project, while London mayor Sadiq Khan warned it could make the UK a “laughing stock”. (PA Graphics)He also stressed that transport links in the North need to be improved between and within cities, as critics say axing the full HS2 project would jeopardise the levelling up project. “So I am arguing with Government: ‘Don’t stop at Old Oak Common. And he argued that the southern terminal being Old Oak Common instead of Euston London would leave HS2 as a “white elephant”.
Source:The Times
October 01, 2023 21:24 UTC
I want to be among 'my people,' she said...until she was
Over time, Ann's parents noticed in her an increasingly disturbing pattern of changes in her speech and behavior. "But," Felicia told Ann, "you are among your people. With great trepidation, and after meeting Shakeena's middle-class, working parents, Thomas and Felicia finally relented, albeit with several conditions, to which Ann resentfully agreed. That afternoon, Thomas drove Ann and Shakeena to Shakeena's cousins' house, which was an old, single-family dwelling, possibly government-owned. Felicia told us that Ann never again mentioned wishing to "be among my people."
Source:The Guardian
October 01, 2023 21:02 UTC
Hundreds protest Suella Braverman’s gay asylum comments outside Parliament
Hundreds of people took to Parliament Square today in protest of Suella Braverman questioning the legitimacy of some LGBTQIA+ people seeking asylum in the UK. Those in attendance carried placards with messages such as, “Being a refugee is not a crime” and, “Being LGBTQ+ means death in some countries” on them. Organised by Pride in London and African Rainbow Family, the crowd at the ‘Stand Against Suella’ demonstration heard from LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers and human rights campaigners. These included prominent activist Peter Tatchell, who told GAY TIMES that he views Braverman’s remarks as a “political tool”. “It’s all about her bid for the future leadership of the Tory Party after Rishi Sunak goes.
Source:The Times
October 01, 2023 19:25 UTC
New Pennsylvania Shell plant brings pollution and plastic. We’re fighting back
Food & Water Watch: Shell’s plant is spewing air pollution and blowing past permit limits in Western Pennsylvania, so we're pushing to hold it accountable, write Food & Water Watch's Mia DiFelice and Robin Lesko. Furthermore, this plant contributes significantly to plastic pollution and climate change due to its massive plastic production. Despite a recent $10 million penalty, Shell's environmental impact remains a pressing issue, highlighting the need for continued accountability and stronger government oversight. These facilities contribute to plastic pollution, exacerbating environmental issues. Proponents of Shell's massive plastics plant in Pennsylvania promised the site would bring economic development to a long-struggling region.
Source:The Guardian
October 01, 2023 17:25 UTC
Specsavers in Penarth calls for equal eye care for everyone
Almost a quarter of a million people living in UK care homes could unknowingly have an eye condition, which could lead to permanent sight loss if not spotted and treated in time. Specsavers in Penarth called for equal access to eye care for all, especially those in care homes who can face extra challenges accessing care. She added: “This can lead to a loss of engagement in social activities and sometimes increased risk of falls. “Providing regular eye care can minimise or even eliminate these issues for people living in care homes allowing them to enjoy doing the things they want to do. “Specsavers is proud to offer home visits to anybody unable to leave their home, including residents of care homes.”
Source:The Times
October 01, 2023 15:22 UTC
20mph in Wales: How will it affect accidents and journey times?
Following the implementation of 20mph limits in Edinburgh, for example, the number of collisions in one year fell by 40 per cent. In the study, drivers were sorted into categories of support for 20mph speed limits based on their answers to a series of questions. This tended to be reflected by how they set their own speed limits according to conditions. The truth is that most people are not opposed to 20mph speed limits, but a sizeable minority are. Default 20mph speed limits are a good start but they must be accompanied by driver education programmes and police enforcement to be effective.
Source:The Times
October 01, 2023 15:16 UTC
Five arrested in connection with Slough murder investigation
Five people including a 17 year old boy have been arrested in connection with a murder investigation in Slough. The details of the arrests are:- A 17-year-old boy from Slough, arrested on suspicion of murder and possession of a knife. - A 21-year-old man from Slough, arrested on suspicion of murder, grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a knife. - A 19-year-old man from Slough, arrested on suspicion of murder, grievous bodily harm with intent, possession of a knife and possession of a class B drug. - A 40-year-old woman from Slough, arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Source:Express
October 01, 2023 15:10 UTC
Top gardening tips and advice for the month of October
Whilst I may struggle to relax and appreciate my garden, one way of enjoying it is to take photographs at various times throughout the year. Whilst the gardening year is drawing to an end, there are still things to do. I usually deadhead my hydrangea this month, although I know some say that you should leave the heads. My bird feeding station is topped up daily with fat balls and I love seeing the various birds visiting the station – although to be honest, I am not too keen on the pigeons. The Horticultural Society members' selection for the 2024 Spring Show is Tete a Tete and Jetfire – so get planting!
Source:The Times
October 01, 2023 15:05 UTC